NH Senior News: Littleton center adds new tech, craft classes

LITTLETON — Littleton Area Senior Center, 77 Riverglen Lane, has added a tech class to its schedule, with the first session set for 1 p.m. Friday, Jan 5. Seniors are welcome to bring their iPads, laptops, cellphones (flip phones are welcome, too) or any other devices and get the help they need from a professional. A $5 donation is requested to help offset the cost of the service. Future sessions will be on Fridays.

A new craft class will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, starting Jan. 4. You don’t have to be crafty to join in.

Zumba Gold is returning to the center. A six-week class will be offered at 2 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 10. The cost for the session is $12. To sign up, stop by the front desk or call the center at 444-6050.

The Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8. The group can be for you, a friend or a loved one. For more information about the group, which continues on the second Monday of each month, or about one-on-one support, call Katryn at 838-2421.

To schedule an appointment for a foot clinic planned between 9 and 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, call 444-5317.

The center offers a variety of ongoing events, including a writing group, art classes, a knitters group, an exercise group, a walking group, the Bone Builders program, yoga, a version of Mahjong, drop-in game days, hand reflexology, reiki, monthly birthday dinners, line dancing and surprise bingo. The center also has a computer lab and exercise center.

Alzheimer’s cafes planned in January

Special cafes for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, along with their families, are offered at a variety of sites in New Hampshire. The monthly cafes vary, but each offers families a blend of social time and support in safe and relaxed environments.

• Dover: Dementia Memory Cafe at Langdon Place of Dover, 60 Middle Road, 2-4 p.m., the second Tuesday. In partnership with Cornerstone VNA. Open to public. Brief social gathering followed by a roundtable discussion with guest speakers for caregivers and a fun activity for those with dementia. Free. Refreshments included. No reservations required. For information, call 743-4110 ext. 224. Next: Jan. 9. Roundtable topic: “Using Apps in Caregiving.”

NEW LONDON — A “Climate Change Strategy Session” is planned at the Chapin Senior Center, 37 Pleasant St., from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.

Griffin Sinclair Wingate from 350NH.org will lead seniors through a time-lining process and goal-setting exercise to “help craft a path forward for climate action in our local towns.”

For more information, contact Joy or Joe Kubit, local Elder Climate Action members, at 526-6678, joykubit@gmail.com or jgkubit70@gmail.com. To attend, register with the Kearsarge Council on Aging by calling 526-6368.

The ongoing meditation class will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. Participants sit in chairs and do silent and guided meditation sessions along with contemplations. No prior meditation experience is necessary. For more information or to register, call the COA at 526-6368.

The Morning Book Group will discuss “The Other Einstein” by Marie Benedict when it meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. This is a walk-in program.

Seniors can sign up for a free 20-minute chair massage offered on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Appointments are available between 1 and 3:20 p.m.

The Visiting Nurse Association will bring its foot care clinic to the center from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 5 and 12. The cost is $25. To schedule an appointment for either, call the COA at 526-6368.

Anyone looking for answers to questions about basic computer and iPad skills might be interested in individual computer classes offered by Laura Thompson. She is taking appointments for half-hour sessions between 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. To sign up, call 526-6368.

The classroom refresher is designed for drivers 50 and older, but open to any age licensed driver. The six-hour class does not involve driving or tests; the focus is on learning about adjustments in driving techniques that can be made as people get older.

The cost is $20, or $15 for AARP members. Preregistration is required. To sign up, call 626-2626. Participants may bring lunch or use the CMC cafe.

Send news about seniors to family@unionleader.com or to Union Leader, P.O. Box 9555, Manchester, NH 03108-9555. Attn: Barbara Anderson. Because of the Monday holidays, the Senior News column will be on hiatus until Jan. 8.